Clinton says U.S. will battle anti-gay violence worldwide

by Rex Wockner

International News Briefs

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Sept. 11 that the United States will fight anti-gay violence anywhere in the world that it happens.

Speaking in New York at the Roosevelt Institute's Four Freedoms Medals Gala Dinner, where she received the institute's Four Freedoms Award, Clinton explained:

"(We) must condemn violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In country after country after country, young men and women are persecuted, are singled out, even murdered in cold blood, because of who they love or just based on claims that they are gay.

"We are starting to track violence against the LGBT community, because where it happens anywhere in the world, the United States must speak out against it and work for its end. Through our annual human rights report, we are documenting human rights abuses against LGBT communities worldwide. And we are seeking out partners at the United Nations such as Brazil, France, Sweden and the Netherlands to help us address these human rights abuses."

SOUTHFIELD - This year the BTL Ultimate LGBT Wedding and Anniversary Expo was held on the anniversary weekend of Judge Friedman's decision in DeBoer v. Snyder. That decision struck down Michigan's same-sex marriage ban, for less than 24 hours, allowing 323 couples to become legally married in the state.